Our local library challenge

One of the things I like to have the kids do in the summer is participate in the local library's reading challenge.   Not only does it provide a little bit of structure to our day (1 hour of reading in the afternoon.) The perks are pretty great too.  For reading 10 hours (bronze medal), they received a free book of their choice (from a large selection of new paperback books.) 15 hours (silver medal) got them a chance to enter a drawing to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card. 30 hours (gold medal) earned them a second free book.  

Hannah, Daniel, and Ellie all participated.  Daniel was my most reluctant participant.

Would you believe that he won the $50 Barnes and Noble gift card! 

We took him last night to choose his books.  He was super excited to add these to his personal library.  

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is a fabulous book.  The story is compelling and the black and white drawings throughout are just amazing.  A few years ago Caleb and Daniel would spend time together in the evening, and Caleb would read some to him each night. Needless to say, this book is his favorite.

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl is another of his favorites.  He began the book and found he couldn't put it down.  He read the whole thing in an hour or so.  

James and the Giant Peach also by Roald Dahl was recommended by Hannah.  This one he hasn't read yet, but he is looking forward to some free time to dig in.  

He also chose a blank journal. 

And the best part about the whole thing is that he now loves to read!  

It's been fun to see this "magic" happen with the children.  Once they find stories and characters that draw them in, they are hooked.  Curling up in a quite spot to read for a while is pure joy to them.  

And what fun it was for him to have some free money to spend on books to add to his personal collection!

Do you have a favorite children's book?  One that I should add to the list of must-reads? 

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Carol